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With temperatures plummeting and snow swirling, the participants in the Five Days for Homeless fundraiser — who have been living outdoors since Sunday — had their dedication tested Wednesday.

Officials at Brock University were suggesting the students move indoors for their own safety until the blizzard subsided.

“We spent most of the day outside, and they told us to use our judgment on whether we came inside at night,” said Dylan Hamm, 22, one of the participants. So they spent some of the night indoors.

“The snow had stopped, so we decided to come back outside. It wasn’t too bad until I had to get up and go to the washroom. Once I got back in the sleeping bag, it took a while to heat up.

“People are saying how brave we are to stay out in the cold. People on the street have no choice. They are a lot braver than us.”

During the fundraiser, students live outside on campuses for five full days without access to money, showers, cellphones or other comforts of home. They can only eat food that’s been donated and must continue to attend classes and jobs. It is a nation-wide event.

Tim Hawkins said the winter blast helped the volunteers make their point. Temperatures dipped to -14°C, and -27°C with the wind chill, and about 15 centimetres of snow fell. A gale warning was issued for western Lake Ontario.

“I think we picked a good week,” Hawkins said.

“People on the street have to deal with this.”

Goodman School of Business dean Don Cyr joined the students Thursday and challenged his fellow deans to join him or kick in a $200 donation. His sleeping bag was ready and waiting Thursday afternoon as the temperature dipped to -8°C.

The Brock Business Students Association, which runs the local event, hopes to raise $7,500 this year. Last year, Brock students contributed $5,000 in donations and $1,750 worth of food.

Hamm said the experience has been an eye-opener.

“When you see someone on the streets, sometimes the person is just invisible. Even if you don’t have money — or don’t want to give money — it would be a lot better if you just said, ‘Hello, how are you doing? Are you warm?’ Even a small chat.